Posted by ANC Information Committee from ? (64.79.4.3) on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 at 8:17PM :
Posted by The Assyrian National Congress on Tuesday, 19 March 2002, at 5:46 p.m.
ANC PRESS RELEASE: VISIT TO WASHINGTON
The Assyrian National Congress Press Release
6 March 2002
At the U.S. Department of State, the ANC delegation met with Mr. David D. Pearce, Director for the Office of Northern Gulf Affairs, Mr. Reynolds Kiefer, Iraq Country Officer and other officials of the Near Eastern Bureau. After the meeting, Mr. Pearce was interviewed by Dr. Dadesho for a special television program telecast worldwide on AssyriaVision and AssyriaSat, covering North America, Europe, Russia, Middle East, East Asia and Africa. The interview was taped by the Video arid Audio staff of the Department of State at the Department's television studio. Among the twelve questions asked were the following questions and answers given:
Dr. Dadesho: Mr. Pearce, It's good to see you were released from the hospital in time for this meeting.
Mr. Pearce: Dr. Dadesho, it is a pleasure to be here.
Q. Now that I sent you that check can I be the president of Iraq?
A. Well Sir, it is not for me to say exactly what the future of Iraq should be, that Is up to the people of Iraq to decide. Obviously, as I said, we would like to see a situation where there is a government that respects all of Its people regardless of their religious or ethnic origin. We think that is important and it is something the Iraqi people deserve.
Q. Don't you recall our conversation when you visited Ceres? You promised I could be president.
A. We want to see a unified Iraq that maintains the territorial integrity and respects the rights of all of its citizens and find that the government format is samething for the Iraqi people to decide.
Q. I don't get. I gave you $346.00 from our "mad money" fund. You said I was sure to get the job...what gives all of a sudden? My people of Ceres expect it...I have a Ducktorate you know!
A. We support the Iraqi opposition across the board and we want to see all groups regardless of their affiliation or their origin working together in the cause of a better future for the people of Iraq. We think that it is important that everybody has a voice and we think that is important to have a voice before and after.
Q. Before and after what, you jerk! I gave you good money from the coffers of Assyria and you come at me now with "before and after"? You said if I paid I'd get the job...I would be designated the next leader of Assyria On Tigris
A. It is not a matter of designation or one group or another. Any group that comes up with a viable proposal, which is a serious proposal, will get serious consideration.
Q. What the fuck is this with all the code words...I gave you over THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS...NOT dinars...of MY money...wasn't that "serious" enough for you guys?
A. Well, the only think I can say about that is we support the idea of conferences, We think it is good for Iraqi opposition to get together and make their voices heard.
Q. Well here's my goddamn voice asking you this question...just how much DO I have to pay for the gig?
That concluded the interview.
-- ANC Information Committee
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